Woolston, Southampton
Woolston | |
---|---|
Shops on Bridge Road | |
Location within Southampton | |
Population | 13,852 (2011 Census. Ward)[1] |
Unitary authority | |
Ceremonial county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | SOUTHAMPTON |
Postcode district | SO19 |
Dialling code | 023 |
Police | Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
Fire | Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
Ambulance | South Central |
UK Parliament | |
Woolston is a suburb of Southampton, Hampshire, located on the eastern bank of the River Itchen. It is bounded by the River Itchen, Sholing, Peartree Green, Itchen and Weston.
The area has a strong maritime and aviation history. The former hamlet grew as new industries, roads and railways came to the area in the Victorian era with Woolston formally incorporated into the borough of Southampton in 1920.[2]
History
Woolston is believed to originate from Olafs tun,
In the Domesday Book of 1086, the area is recorded as Olvestune.[3] The area now known as Woolston is certain to have received consignments of wool to be ferried across the River Itchen, Hampshire by the inhabitants of Itchen Ferry village. The evolution of Olvestune into "Woolston" is a result of that trade.[citation needed]
The former hamlet grew as new industries, roads and railways came to the area in the Victorian era with Woolston formally incorporated into the borough of Southampton in 1920.[2] First-class cricket was briefly played at Woolston at Day's Itchen Ground by Hampshire from 1848 to 1850; the ground was leased on land owned by the Woolston Hotel, today known as The Cricketers Arms, on Portsmouth Road.[4]
Development of the
In the 21st century Woolston's Vosper Thorneycroft shipyard closed and a new development, Centenary Quay, was built on the site.
Governance
Before 1920 Woolston was governed as part of the Itchen Urban District, from when it became part of Southampton, which later achieved city status and then became a unitary authority, governed by Southampton City Council.
Woolston is within the Woolston
The Woolston ward is within the
Prior to Brexit in 2020, the area was represented in the European Parliament within the South East England constituency.
Geography
Woolston is bounded by
The nearest motorway is the M27; Woolston is closest to Junctions 7 and 8.
Economy
Woolston has a shopping area centred on the Victoria Rd/Portsmouth Rd crossroads and by the Woolston Floating Bridge.
There had been a shipbuilding site on Victoria Road since 1870, (from 1900 the Vosper Thornycroft shipbuilding company) which was the major employer in Woolston until 31 March 2004 when operations were relocated to Portsmouth.
A large 'supermarket style'
Woolston Riverside Regeneration
The Victoria Road shipyard site was acquired by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) in March 2003.[8] and finally vacated by Vosper Thorneycroft March 2004.[9]
The South East England Development Agency subsequently announced plans for the site, to be split into two sections:
- A residential and retail area, under the brand name Centenary Quay.
- 8.2 hectares[9] for a marine employment quarter at the north of the site providing 820 jobs.[9] This sector will also include an 'upper tier budget hotel'.[9]
The marine and commercial section will include several quays for vessels:
Feature | Description |
---|---|
North Quay | specialist working quay for repair and refit of vessels up to 75 m |
Centenary Quay | main commercial quayside housing vessels up to 76 m. |
Central Basin | working area focused around a large hoist dock or lift with associated pontoon berthing. |
South Quay | new pier to accommodate feature vessels up to 65 m. |
The redevelopment of the waterside site may rejuvenate the shopping area, but has also been predicted to place extra burden on the Itchen Bridge and cause extra congestion in Woolston.[10] Developers of the residential site are reported to be considering the possibility of re-introducing a ferry service to Southampton.[11]
Work started on phase one of the Centenary Quay development July 2010. Phase one consists of creating family housing to the east of the site, as well as establishing a frontage to Victoria Road.
Houses have already been built on the land at Weston Shore where the
Woolston is thus becoming more of a residential area, though it will still retain some marine industry with facilities to berth vessels of up to 76 m in length.[13]
Landmarks
The Woolston Millennium Garden was created for the residents by a local group. It was completed in 2002. Its focal point is a 10-metre tall metal and recycled glass feather intended to signify Woolston's history of flight and sail. The garden is divided into three areas, signifying the earth, the sky and the sea. Many of the crew of the Titanic came from Woolston and there are bricks in the pathway through the garden that are inscribed with their names.[citation needed]
Education
This section needs to be updated.(January 2024) |
St. Mark's Infants school in Church Road moved to new premises in Florence Road in 1974, becoming Woolston First School and is now known as Woolston Infant School. Ludlow Infant School is situated on the same site as Ludlow Junior School, the largest Southampton primary school with 600 pupils[citation needed].
Woolston no longer provides education for pupils over the age of eleven, since Woolston School was controversially[14] closed in July 2008 to make way for the Oasis Academy Mayfield.[15]
Southampton City College operates a Marine Skills Centre on Hazel Road which runs vocational courses (usually for 16+ pupils).
Religious sites
Woolston has three Christian places of worship. St. Mark's Church, built in 1863
St. Mary's
Leisure and community
The Archery Grounds, bounded by Swift Road and Archery Road, consists of a large grass space, with a children's play area. There is a path leading through to Mayfield Park, a partially wooded, partially open recreational area situated on the border of Woolston and neighbouring Weston.
The building that was previously St. Mark's Infants School in Church Road is now Woolston Community Centre.
Public services
The fire station in Portsmouth Road was no longer required once the Itchen Bridge provided easy access for the fire crews at St Mary's on the Southampton side of the river. That old building is now a Doctors' surgery.
Across the road are two more doctors surgeries – Woolston Lodge Surgery and Canute Surgery – and a Lloyds pharmacy.
Transport
The Itchen Bridge is a
There is a major bus stop on the Woolston link road, a separate bus-only access to the Itchen Bridge which by-passes the toll booths, served by a number of bus routes running through the suburb.
References
- ^ "Southampton Ward population 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- ^ ISBN 0-86146-003-0.
- ^ ISBN 1-85983-405-1.
- ^ Cricket Grounds of Hampshire. The Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians. 1988. pp. 12–13.
- ^ "Find your local Councillor".
- ^ "Ward Map". www.southampton.gov.uk.
- ^ "Jobs face axe as supermarket is sold". Daily Echo. 19 April 2015.
- ^ SEEDA Board meeting, 22 January 2004
- ^ a b c d "Centenary Quay Woolston: Planning Statement" (PDF) (Press release). Crest Nicholson. March 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2011.
- ^ Southampton Daily Echo, 19 April 2008
- ^ Southampton Daily Echo. 19 April 2008
- ^ Southampton City Council. Southampton Online. Southampton Property search
- ^ Crest Nicholson, Woolston riverside website
- ^ "Another schools protest is at the door, councillors". The Southern Daily Echo. Newsquest Media Group. 8 June 2006. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
- ^ "Four schools will be axed". The Southern Daily Echo. Newsquest Media Group. 3 July 2007. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
- ^ Historic England (8 October 1981). "Church of St Mark (Grade II) (1091989)". National Heritage List for England.
- ^ Southampton. A pictorial peep into the past, Southern Newspapers Ltd, 1980
- ^ ISBN 0-906520-31-2.
- ^ Southampton Echo, 13 June 1977
Further reading
- WOOLSTON – SOUTHAMPTON CONSERVATION AREAS APPRAISAL, Southampton City Council and HGP Architects (2010)